Taledrops is the kind of band that doesn’t just play music—they paint with it. A rising force in Singapore’s alternative rock scene, this all-female five-piece blends cinematic soundscapes with raw emotional power, delivering songs that feel both intimate and immense. Since turning heads at Baybeats 2023, they’ve steadily carved out a distinct identity, earning spots at major showcases like Singapore Art Week and Rock Indie Fest 2025. With their striking stage presence and immersive sound, Taledrops is not just challenging the norms of the local rock scene—they’re redefining it.
Their debut EP, Visions of a Dying Dream, is a five-track journey through unrest, release, and reflection. Produced by Leonard Soosay at Snakeweed Studios, the EP features familiar favourites like ‘Surrender’ and ‘Kafka’ alongside new tracks that deepen their sonic storytelling. At its heart, the record explores the fragility of hope in a cynical world—best captured in standout single ‘City of Apathy’, a haunting, slow-burning anthem that spirals from restraint into resignation. It’s the kind of debut that doesn’t just ask to be heard—it demands to be felt. We sat down with the rising rock outfit to uncover the inspiration and intentions behind their new EP.
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Visions of a Dying Dream is such a cinematic title—it sounds like the name of an indie film that wins at Sundance. How did you come up with the name of your new EP?
That cinematic feel was definitely something we subconsciously leaned into! For us, 'Visions” speaks directly to the visual aspect of our music. For instance, the French horn solo in 'Fallen Angels' is meant to evoke the image of a war horn, and the increasingly loud, slow ringing bells at the end of 'City of Apathy' paint a sonic picture of impending doom. “Visions” also hints at something ephemeral, a fleeting image that might not fully materialize. “Dying Dream” then emerged as the central pillar of the EP's title, perfectly capturing the themes of fading hope and unrealised aspirations that resonated throughout the tracks.
In 'Kafka', you hear that tension of choosing between ambition and reality, that potential death of a dream. 'Surrender' is the raw emotion of accepting that some dreams will remain just that. Even the other tracks, with their explorations of separation, war, and a sense of foreboding, all touch upon this idea of something fading or lost. Ultimately, the title has this strong visual quality, and it tragically, yet beautifully, binds all these different emotional threads together.
There’s a strong sense of emotion and contrast in the songs—tension and release, quiet and loud. Was that something you consciously aimed for?
For sure. That dynamic push and pull, the tension building and then releasing, is something we naturally gravitate towards but are also intentional about. It's the kind of musical journey that excites us as listeners – being taken on a ride that ultimately leads to that cathartic release. For us, music has always been a powerful outlet for emotion, and we want to create that same experience in our songs.
Which track from the EP changed the most from demo to final version?
It's definitely 'Dusk' for us. Being one of the earlier songs, written around the same time as 'Kafka', it had a longer time to evolve in our minds. This process was really accelerated during our participation in the 2023 Baybeats Budding Band program, where our mentors, Rasyid Juraimi (from Wormrot) and weish, provided invaluable guidance. They helped us refine everything from the lyrics to the musical arrangement, showing us how to emphasize the emotional core of the song and encouraging a more impactful vocal delivery.
Interestingly, 'Dusk' also became a prime example of “less is more” for us. While the demo had some lovely elements, we realized that stripping back certain parts ultimately served the song, especially the vocal melody, much better. It was a journey of loving that core melody for a long time but really striving to find the perfect arrangement to elevate it, and the final version on the EP feels like the result of that long process of refinement.
Working with Leonard Soosay is a pretty big flex. What was the most unexpected or unfiltered piece of feedback he gave you in the studio?
“Imperfections in the mix makes it human”.
It’s inevitable that we always want that “perfect” take, or that “perfect” mix. But usually in that pursuit of perfection, we miss out on so much else that might actually matter more. Having that piece of advice really shifted our perspective to looking past that perfection, and focusing more on feeling and portraying the raw emotion.
Singapore isn’t exactly the global capital of progressive rock. What’s it like carving your own niche here—and have you faced more raised eyebrows or raised lighters?
It's definitely a unique and challenging landscape. Finding gigs can be tricky when some opportunities are curated around specific genres, which we completely understand from an audience perspective. However, we've also been incredibly fortunate to have people take a chance on us, even without personally knowing any of us. Besides, the scene is also very respectful and supportive across genres. There's a real sense of camaraderie, and we find common ground easily – whether it's geeking out over gear, sharing experiences with recording or performing, or just forming friendships outside of music.
The initial step of putting our music out there was probably the most daunting as there was vulnerability in sharing something that might not resonate with a wider audience. But once we did, the response from those who genuinely connected with our music was incredibly heartening and encouraging. Ultimately, while navigating a niche genre in Singapore has its unique set of challenges, the rewards feel amplified. Knowing that we've stayed true to the music we love, without trying to conform, and still found people who deeply connect with it is truly special.
As an all-female band in a space where that's still pretty rare—especially in the progressive rock scene—have you felt any pressure, challenges, or even unexpected advantages navigating the industry this way?
It's true that being an all-female band playing our genre is still somewhat uncommon, and it's definitely something people notice. However, for us, the formation of Taledrops was rooted in the friendships we forged, many of which go back to our time together in an all-girls school. Back then, our entire social circle was naturally female, so when we wanted to form a band, it was simply the friends we had who shared that passion (plus Kiara was the only drummer in our entire school at that time, so it wasn’t like we had much of a choice anyway). While our lineup might draw initial attention, we've also experienced firsthand how it can sometimes lead to preconceived notions about our sound. We've been told before that we look different from how we sound, and while those comments may not have been ill-intentioned, they did spark a deeper exploration into our band branding and overall aesthetics. But ultimately, our primary focus has always been, and will continue to be, on the music itself. We're committed to pushing our creative boundaries and ensuring our artistry speaks for itself, transcending any gender-based labels.
